The Legonater

I definitely think in a medium like this, the unintended, natural character arcs are the best way to go. People are shaped by the things they experience and the choices they make, and Heroica provides plenty of opportunities for that. I will absolutely talk more about Dyric and character stuff once everything wraps up, but I do want to say that this has been a really great finale, warts and all. I'm excited for the final push!

Then tax him we will. We march on the Fort, as one. Dyric grimaces at what he perceives as condescension. Everything we know points to Rosier being concerned with eating Faeries, not mortals. Rosier's concern isn't Eubric, ours is. The Founders are gathering power at the Fort, that's where Rosier's new form is likely to hide, and that's where we need to strike. And I will not hesitate while people I put in the line of fire are being executed. You see to your divination, Whisperer, but I am striking the Fort. Without you, if I have to. No, Ulric's right, we only have one opportunity. We can't miss our chance to blow that wall. If the Hovels are ever going to be freed from the Watch's grasp, it's now.

Two teams, then. One goes to the old Temple, one charges the Fort. That second party can divide in however many boats and distractions we desire. I'm going to the Fort, no question. My priority is the city, and thus these Founders. Rosier is secondary to all that. Euflear, this is one thing I'd ask of you. You know these imitations better than anyone, as you say. Tell me anything you can about the Miracleworker, and how I might defeat him.

Say what you want, but right now the Founders are tearing Eubric by its seams and Rosier has been content to leave if well enough alone. Lawrence claims she doesn't care about them, the evidence says she was involved in creating them, and you think they're an intentional part of her plan. We can't all be right at once. If Rosier has a plan for the city, it starts at the Temple of Zoot. Yes, it's the same one. Years ago Wren made her power play there, we had to go under- Oh. Oh. There's a path to the Temple directly under Heroica. Rosier doesn't care about the Founders bears they've already done their job - pushing us out.

I don't care about killing Rosier, only saving the city. Point me in the direction of those Fakers. It has to be. We all know it. It's the old Temple. And our troubles predictably worsen. Is she trying to eat Olegia now? Is that the plan? Don't leave us hanging, Euflear. You're in this just as much as we are, if not more. I reckon Guts has long since set sail. However, does any one know if the Magpie is still in town?

A city of the dead. I'm not sure I buy it, Karie. Why fabricate living people when you're goal is to turn people undead? But you are on to something: Rosier's plan definitely involves Eubric as a whole. Unleashing more demons only sounds like it'd make our problem worse. Besides, of that book is growing plants, then I'm not unconvinced that it might be the cause of all this.

Dyric gives a deep, bealeagured sigh at the response. With a firm nod, Rone looked the young man in the eye. Look, kid, I get it. I've been there, it sucks. But right now, this is war, and if we don't put together the pieces now, a whole lot more loved ones are going to die. Dyric points a figure at Bellanotte. Her family is on the chopping block. They aren't alone. I've seen hangings before, and I refuse to be privy to any more. Your girl is dead. You can't change that. These forces think they can replicate the dead, but they can't. Not really. If you want to make her death mean something, then fight in her name and help us take down these fakers and their master. What do you know about these roots? We're counting on you, Wally. While we're at it, can someone tell me more about that book? What's the potential of it being responsible for any of this?

Wait, what? We found similar roots in the sewer, and tunnels of the Dragon House. You said this book grew a plant? That can't be a coincidence, can it? Wally, was it? Tell us anything you've found about these roots.

If it's about demons, we should look at it, right? It could tell us something about this Rosier's motives. That's... actually not a terrible plan. Lind, you're a tagalong too, right? You'd make good bait. All that said, where's Lawrence? I want to hear from the Oracle party.

Arthur, Dyric says, a genuine smile on his lips. This, finally, was the brother he had so long-ago lost. Good to hear the Ziegfried are safe. As much as I would like them on the field, I can't blame them for not wanting the same. After all, what would Matthias do if Chesterine got hurt? The assassin allows a small laugh before moving on. That's why I meant something she, personally, would only remember. We asked about generic Founder identifiers but nothing we could put against the false Yulianna specifically. I believe I mentioned the main details in the sewer, but I can also go into more depth. I'd be interested in hearing what happened with Atramor's group after we separated, but we weren't gone very long. Still, this is all very troubling. I still don't entirely get, though, why this Rosier would come for us. I would think her content with the Faerie, but Byblos sounds insistent that they are coming. These Founders certainly appear directed by her, but Throlor, you said she didn't really care about them? What is anyone after, then? Why hit Eubric?

No, Lind, you're telling it now. People have been saying 'oh well tell it later' since I got in those sewers. If we're expecting an arch demon manipulating forces at that Fort, then I want the details.

They certainly seem to believe they are real. It appears as if they retain the same memories, up to a point. We should have asked the Golden Dragon about that! Something only she would have remembered. Wait, you dreamed of them in Rosier's captivity? That's it. That has to be, right? Rosier engineered them from your dreams somehow? We've met people who can manipulate dream-scapes, right? That's within the realm of possibility. And don't worry about fighting them. That is most certainly on the table. I intend on showing this fake Miracleworker what a true Duplovian looks like. Actually, I still don't feel like I've heard the other parties' full stories.

Rome glanced around the motley crew. What about Arthur? We said we would try to fetch him when the end came. Is he available?

Long time no see, folks. Look, we found everyone.

Oh. Rone clearly still remembered the cyclic debates he'd had with Whisperer during the elections. Uh, hello. Cutting a bloody swath through the city proves that the false Founders were right about us. We need to be better than that.

So you're Ulric's crackshot sniper, Dyric says with a grin. I'll admit I wasn't expecting to see you with the Wolfgang, but I suppose I can't complain now. Good to have you around once more. As for you, Fae One- - uh, yes. This sort of dust is all that was left when he died. They must be connected with your realm somehow, though I suspect there are a few pieces yet missing to this puzzle. Dyric marches forward, noting Bellanotte's fears. He will not let them die. He will not bare that. We came in through the Bascule Bridge grate after skirting the edge of the harbour. That led us straight to you. I suppose we could take that again. In any case, we should be going back east, to the Hovels. The Zeigfried manor is on our side and Triad Park seemed silent, so long as the we can get past the Hall unnoticed it should be a free pass to our destination. Keeping his voice low as best he can (while on mobile), Dyric turns to answer the Monk. The Shadeaux, the Guild, and the Ziegfied have all assisted us. I'm sure other houses have helped you. This incursion may be the push we need to unite Eubric. In any case, we need to build Heroica back from the ground up. New Veterans, from those of us left, who have a passion for setting this place right. That's how we save this city. We need to establish cooperation and an unbiased unity, not wars or kingships.

Skrall? Rone turns, noticing the old archer for the first time amongst the faces. Skrall! Old friend, how did you of all people get here? Greetings Throlor. I think I recognize you from the Locale, but that was hardly an opportune time for introductions. First, Dyric turns to the Founder, clearly impressed. The Fey One is alive, then? Curious. These Founders clearly retain the memories of the legitimate articles, I had thought they had received those from the Fey One, being made of faerie dust and all. If you are intact, however, I don't know how that would be possible. A pleasure to have you on our side, at least. WIth that, Rone turns back to Throlor. Still. I know and care little about this Rosier, our problems stem from the Fort. I will not let anyone die for what they have done by my word. If we wish to divide forces, I understand, but I highly recommend we fully regroup first. We should make our decisions as a united force. In any case, my priority is the Fort, and I will return to the Hovels with anyone who desires to follow.

We split up, hoping to cover more ground in finding the parties. But, it seems you are all here, so I suspect the others will be here soon. Something like that. A pleasure to see you too, Karie. We should swap stories, and fast. We have no time to waste. As Matthias said, we've killed a Founder. Went up against the Doomsayer. He put up a fight, but we were smarter. Pulled out Atramor's summon stone and killed him in a snap. Guess he wasn't feeling too good after that. Turned into dust. Pixie dust - these Founders are definitely a fake. Probably fabricated by someone with a grudge against Heroica. For further proof, we were able to secure a necromancer from the Ziegrieds' - Arthur says hi, by the way - and broker a conversation with the soul of the original Golden Dragon. Her tomb was locked shut when we found her, she was legitimate. Those folks running around upstairs are not. Not that it matters, their Miracleworker is about as powerful as the myths say. We defeated an entire army of paladin and town watch forces, and in a moment he had raised them all again. They're fortified in Fort Freedom, and they have the Shadeaux and a slew of innocents ready to hang for aiding us. The plan was to gather everyone at the Hovels and prepare to strike. Ulric and a squadron of Lion Knights have the section on lock down. Only thing going in us. Which, and I hate to hurry things up, we should be doing. Soon. I'm not letting these fakers shed innocent blood tonight. That said, I'm sure you and Lawrence have some interesting tales of your own. I don't know if you want to say your piece now or in the Hoveks, but we should all get in the same page soon.

That's funny, I seem to remember you being among the first to split into factions. Atramor, the other party seems to have left the Hovels. They've gone West, somewhere. It'll be a bit of a walk, I think I will take Matthias as well as Bellanotte, who knows what we'll run into along the way. Watch yourself, it looks the Miracleworker has been following us, cleaning up our mess, so to speak. Rone takes a step back, looking amongst the party. Atramor, Hoke, Althior, these were men he'd quested with many a time. I suppose this is goodbye, for now. It's been a genuine pleasure. We should do this again, sometime, when the city is a lot less at stake. Take care, and see you on the other side. These Founders don't know who they've pissed off. Let's show them what Heroica actually is.

A pleasure as always, Matthias. A week ago, I may have agreed. Heroica was seemed like a lost cause. But the past few days... Heroes have come out of the woodwork to fight for this war. To fight for this city. Even the Houses are getting in on it- look, right here we've got Shadeaux, Wolfgang, even the Lions all working as one. When we talked with the Golden Dragon's spirit, she emphasized that Heroica's core is its people, and these events have only emphasized that. Altraite, years ago you trained me to be a weapon. But that's not enough. We need to be leaders, to be Veterans in our own right. Yeah, we fought, and we argued. But that was by your lead, your Heroica. Now it's our turn. No more sides, no more factions. It's time Eubric stood as one.

Dyric begins to look around the area, trying to see if he can track down the start of a trail from the Oracle party. He also uses his compass to see if he can find a general heading. So, Bellanotte and I split off and track down Boomingham, you guys look for Karie? And then meet back up here to prep for Fort Freedom? Or do we want to split the party a little cleaner than that?

Dyric gives a dismissive chuckle. What, they just swept your hot-shot sniper from under you? I never figured you for the careless type, Ulric. Excellent. Home base it is, then. I hope you don't mind us keeping a battalion of Knights on your doorstep, then. Oh, but if you have any dead, you should dispose of their bodies however you feel is most respectful. Our enemy has a necromancer on their side. He's... powerful. Rone turns to the Veterans with a halfhearted bow. You two should know, we did our research. The Founders running around now are certainly a fake.

C-C-C-Combo Quote! Rone furrows his brow, the haunting image of the older Duplovian still clear in his mind. ...yes, that was him. Or at least it was a shadow of him. Someone has duplicated all of the Founders, Luke, and filled them with old memories so they think they're the Founders. But they're not. We were able to find a necromancer and have a commune with the real Dragonlord, who was long dead. Not only that, we were also able to kill the fake Doomsayer. He was decidedly not the original, he was constructed out of some sort of refined faerie dust. These fake Founders are making a mess of Eubric and have locked up Heroica. It sounds like they've set up their bastion at Fort Freedom, so once we round up the rest of the Heroes still in town, we'll be concentrating our attack there. I mean, I just wanted to split up our Minstrels, but splitting the group as a whole isn't a bad idea either. Say, if we can establish ourselves in the Hovels... we might just be able to turn the Town Watch's wall against them. Make this place a base of operations instead of a prison. You could always ride with me, Matthias. It'll be like old times, but without Guts being all grumpy. Rone bristles at the sight of the Wolfgang leader, reaching for an arrow, but calms himself at Matthias' word. Right, allies. They still needed as many as they could get. Ulric. I don't believe we've actually met, but your reputation certainly precedes you. You have troops we can work with?

Sounds good to me. The Oracle party... that was led by Boomingham, right? And Karie led the other party? In that case, I don't suppose you would mind me taking Bellanotte with me? After all, Karie is a minstrel, and while I would love to see the destructive force two minstrels can whip up, for now it's probably best to split up our forces best we can. Rone turns to the young women. In the end the choice is yours, of course. You've been a huge asset to this team, and I appreciate the help. When Heroica's doors open again, you'll be just as welcome as your brother.

It's... it's him. Muttering to himself, Dyric meets the old man's gaze. A cold shiver runs down the younger Duplovian's spine. He could only watch, useless, as the dead rose to their feet. He'd heard the stories but... Dyric's attention is wrest away by the old elf. 'Should have recognized?' Didn't- Ah, whatever. Must be getting senile. Luke! Rone grins, returning the embrace. How have you been? I should have figured that when Arthur said he brought friends, he meant you. Yes, this beat' has treated me well since we... liberated it from the Dread Pirate's forces. Say, did you ever catch him? I do hope he found some justice for his crimes. Rone turns to young Kniveton, giving a brief bow of respect. Alan... Alan... thank you, ma'am. Hopefully we can avoid losing any more men if at all possible. Indeed, the assassin says, passing Bellanotte a tonic. I don't suppose anyone made any cunning plans while I was away.